P O S T E D ✓

Pawn

I was jolted from my frozen state when I heard someone call my name.

"Monty! Mon over here!"

It was almost like my body was reluctant to move as I shifted to see who was looking for me. I saw that it was Penny. She waved me over with a pearly white grin on her face and tried to muster up what I could back to her.

God this night was draining the life out of me. Harrison and I were growing father and father apart as the clock hands ticked by the second and I couldn't decide if I wanted to run after him or plop down and cry.

Had I been wrong to turn him down? I mean we had been dating for like three months, maybe I should get over myself and have sex. I mean it couldn't be that crazy... right? Was I ever going to get anyone better than Harrison? Probably not. I was definitely in my peak boyfriend era right now. But just the idea felt wrong.

I tried to seem like my thoughts weren't eating away at me as I made my way over to where I had originally been headed before harry interrupted me. Before all that I had been looking for Issac. Another boy in my life who was always on my mind.

Wow. I never thought I'd have so many guys in my life. I mean even my dad hadn't been around for years.

Cory and Sutton had their backs to me as I approached, but Penny and Christina were both smiling at my approach. They clearly knew I was coming since Penny had shouted my name and I was nervous they wouldn't be thrilled to see me. Well, I figured Sutton would be fine, but I hadn't spoken to Cory for a while. If Issac was pissed at me then Cory probably was too...

I took a deep breath and closed the last bit of floor between us.

"Hey guys." I said chirpily. It sounded phoney.

Wow great opening line Monty, we got a winner here.

They paused in there game. The girls grinned at me and the boys, to my relief, did the same.

"Hey Mon."

I took a step closer, feeling a little better, "Didn't see you at the ball."

"Turns out we had to get a ticket and they were giving us a hard time because it was so last minute, but couldn't miss out on the after party. This is where the fun goes down. Or so we heard." Cory replied sending a wink flying at Penny who just rolled her eyes and flashed him the finger.

I stifled a laugh at that. Cory was super flirtatious and didn't think that was Penny's type at all.

"Well, I'm glad you guys could make it."

They both said thanks as Penny challenged Cory into making the next shot and taunted him into missing. It made me actually smile a little seeing them all interacting and having a nice time together. These people, who hadn't been friends with until recently were a key part of my life right now.

Maybe some would stay, some would leave and I'd have nothing but the memories of nights like these, but I guess I had to appreciate the small moments. The moments that made me smile without force, the moments that I didn't feel conscious or awkward. Believe me this night had been awkward, but maybe I needed a few more awkward moments to fix something special. As Sutton stepped back to watch the girls throw I came up next to him.

"Is... um is Issac with you?" I asked, my voice unsure.

Those icy blue eyes pierced me with a knowing look, but I didn't shy away.

"Well he's definitely here, not sure where he wondered off to though." Sutton replied, "You gonna talk to him?"

I bit chewed on my thumb nail in silence for a moment before I nodded, "Yeah, yeah I am."